WHILE Ipswich Town manager Jim Magilton is set to make signing a proven goalscorer his number one summer target, he must also plug the gap left by his departing skipper Jason De Vos.

Elvin King

WHILE Ipswich Town manager Jim Magilton is set to make signing a proven goalscorer his number one summer target, he must also plug the gap left by his departing skipper Jason De Vos.

De Vos is a realist and knows well enough that it was unlikely he would be an Ipswich Town regular next season - a campaign where he will turn 35.

He should be remembered as a big Ipswich success.

De Vos has made the right decision to hang up his boots after Sunday's home victory over Hull City

The chance of what could prove to be a lucrative and high-profile job in Canadian sports television was the right option for him - one first revealed in the Evening Star.

He rightly received the cheers of the Portman Road faithful after the thumping victory over promotion hopefuls Hull City, and starts his new career on Saturday week.

The former Canadian international was sometimes the difference between a defeat and a hammering. Without his steady showings at the back Town would not have got as close to the play-offs as they did.

To make 179 appearances in four seasons is outstanding and shows the consistency that was appreciated, first by Joe Royle, and then Jim Magilton.

De Vos was not selected once for the bench - his name was always first on the team sheet - and played through a great deal of pain at times with foot and rib and leg problems.

The 6ft 4in defender is big in stature; never shirking a challenge and at all times a wonderful ambassador for the club.

He deserves to be remembered highly by Town fans.

I believe Magilton was right however, to try and bring in a central defender during the transfer window and the failure to do this was probably the difference between the play-offs and eighth place.

However, so was a failure to put the ball into the net enough times and with Town's fluid and skilful midfield it is felt at Portman Road that the Blues paid a penalty for missed chances - dominating teams (like Hull) and either drawing or winning by a narrow margin.

Owner Marcus Evans has the wealth to hand over sufficient cash for a 20-goal a season man, but these performers are few and far between and the search has already begun.